FCDY - Dallas Division expands with addition of Comets Soccer Club

May 29, 2012

FC Dallas is pleased to announce the expansion of our Dallas Division with the addition of Horst Bertl and the Comets Soccer Club. The Comets Soccer Club, founded in 1974, has been a longtime leader in player development in the Dallas area with multiple teams advancing to the regional and national championships while producing hundreds of players to the collegiate and professional ranks. “Horst Bertl, the long time Comets Director of Coaching, has been instrumental in the success and longevity of the Comets Soccer Club and we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to add his experience and leadership to our staff”, said Chris Hayden, Vice President of Youth Soccer for FC Dallas. “Horst will be a very important voice in the implementation of our development model and curriculum and we are looking forward to having him direct our Dallas Division.”

FC Dallas has expanded over the past three years to include more than 1800 local select players (ages 11-18) on 100 teams, 700 juniors players(ages 7-10) on 50 teams, and 1200 affiliate players in El Paso, Midland, and Florida. The club has produced hundreds of players to the college ranks in the last two years alone and has also produced six (6) homegrown players to the full MLS Roster for FC Dallas. The FC Dallas Academy which is fully funded, has been ranked #1 in the country for the past two years by the US Soccer Development Academy and has produced more than 30 different players to the National Teams of the United States and Mexico.

“I am very much looking forward to joining FC Dallas. Years ago after my playing days were over, I decided to stay in the US to get involved in the development of the sport”, said Bertl. “It always fascinated me to see young players getting passionate about the game of soccer. FC Dallas provides the environment where these talents can fulfill their dreams. It is exciting to be part of that.”

Hayden added, “with the addition of Horst Bertl and the Comets Soccer Club, the future has never looked brighter for FC Dallas in terms of producing opportunities for players to reach their potential and play in MLS.” “Horst and the Comets Soccer Club have been doing it right for a long time and now with the support of our professional structure and proven curriculum, our Dallas Division will be a source for talent for many years to come.”

Players interested in playing for FC Dallas in the Dallas Division (training at Greenhill School and/or Brookhaven College) should contact: